Espiguette circular loop

Park in the Espiguette car park, accessible via the D255b following signs for Espiguette. Opposite the campsite of the same name, take the track to reach the car park.
There are no dedicated markers for this hike, but there are a few directional markers in the "marshes" section.

(S/E) Head to the back of the car park and take a footbridge, pass a large information panel (Camargue gardoise, Pointe de l'Espiguette), then the Espiguette signpost and continue straight on towards Les Ganivelles 100 m away. When you reach this marker, pay attention: if there is a pool of water opposite, in the direction of Le Phare, then the discovery trail is flooded. You will need to follow the alternative route back from Chenal Sud, see the Practical Information section.

(1) For now, turn right for a return trip to Chenal Sud. Shortly afterwards, you will arrive at a track.

(2) Cross it and continue straight ahead on a wide track also used by vehicles. Further on, this track disappears. Continue along the shore, heading north-west, towards the channel dyke visible in the distance and join it.

(3) Turn around and follow more or less the same route back as you came. You will come back to the track you crossed at the start of the walk.

(2) If the discovery trail is flooded, see the Practical Information section. Otherwise, continue straight ahead to find the Les Ganivelles marker.

(1) Follow the signs for Le Phare. You will soon see some information boards. Continue along the path through the low dunes, heading south then south-east. If in doubt, keep heading towards the Espiguette lighthouse and the semaphore, which are clearly visible and serve as landmarks.

(4) After about 2.5 km, and after passing directly below the lighthouse, turn left towards a rounded fence. Reach it and follow the direction indicated by an arrow, passing the fence and then following it on your right. You will arrive at an information sign for the Espiguette lighthouse and arrows indicating the directions to the beach and the lighthouse.

(5) Take the long walkway on duckboards through the dunes towards the lighthouse to reach the site. The walkway passes through dismantled blockhouses.

(6) See the Practical Information section for details on visiting the lighthouse and museum. Return along the boardwalk in the opposite direction.

(5) Back on the path, turn left. At the intersection, continue left and head to the lighthouse car park. Walk up to the entrance.

(7) Take the footpath/cycle path (greenway) on the left of the access road to the car park, which crosses the marshes. This road is not very busy out of season.

(8) Note the observatory and the Sicarex marker on the right-hand side of the road. (On the left is the Maison Méditerranéenne du Vin, see the Practical Information section). Continue straight ahead for almost 1 km until you reach the Mayorque marker.

(9) Turn left onto the small road towards Le Gabian. Opposite the campsite, turn right onto a path through the rushes (yellow signpost). This leads to a wide track; follow it to the right to join a road at the Le Gabian signpost.

(10) Opposite is Lac de Salonique and access to Port Camargue (information board a few dozen metres away). Turn left onto the small road (which is the access road to the starting car park), towards Plaine de Salonique. You will reach this marker at the entrance to a campsite.

(11) Turn left towards L'Espiguette, taking the footpath on the right of the track to return to the car park (S/E).

Easy hike, standard hiking equipment required.

This area is crowded with tourists and mosquitoes during the summer, so you will enjoy it much more out of season.

There are no dedicated markers for this hike, just a few directional markers in the "marsh" section. However, there are very few landmarks in the "sea" section, so a GPS or the Visorando app is recommended.

Feet in the water?! Don't be surprised if the IGN map, which is far from up to date in this very dynamic dune accretion zone, indicates that you are walking in the sea. I promise you won't need such high-performance waterproof equipment!

There is an admission charge to visit the lighthouse. Practical information can be found here

(2) Winter/flooding alternative: If the discovery trail is flooded, take the track on the right to bypass the flooded area. Then turn left, more or less quickly, to head towards the lighthouse and semaphore, which are clearly visible, either by crossing the low dunes or walking along the sea.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here and photos of the lighthouse here

Visit the Espiguette Lighthouse, guided climb to the top and free visit to the museum, see practical information.

The Pointe de l'Espiguette is managed by the Conservatoire du littoral

The marshes between (7) and (9) are frequented by birds, in particular some large wading birds, herons, egrets, flamingos of course, but also cormorants, ducks and many other more discreet species.

Maison Méditerranéenne du Vin, headquarters ofthe Institut de la Vigne et du Vin.